z-Archives (other articles)

The Olympics are now less than a calendar year away, although the selection process is well underway for the participating countries. The defending Olympic champions (Sweden) are looking to repeat as gold medalists, but an influx in young Canadian, American, and Russian talent ensures that the 2010 games will be hotly contested. Last summer I wrote a piece on my ideas for a prospective Canadian lineup, and ideally I would like to cover the rest of the hockey powers at some point before February 2010. Here are my picks for the 2010 American lineup.

Thank you, Carey Price, for finally wearing out Guy Carbonneau’s already paper-thin patience. Your month-long meltdown made last Friday’s game between Montreal and Colorado the most exciting scouting experience I’ve had as co-host of Avalanche PostGame (KCKK 1510 AM) this season. That’s because Montreal turned to Jaroslav Halak, which ended my year-long wait of wanting to see one of the league’s premier goalie prospects in some real-life action.
 

Welcome once again to “An Expert’s Audit”. This audit will be posted here as well as on my fantasy hockey blog at Hockey Analysis . During the season I also do weekly reviews of teams for people who email in to me for a look-see, they’re less indepth but just as much fun. Dobber audits will continue to appear here monthly and if you’re interested in having your keeper team “worked over” then you can begin by emailing Dobber about it BEFORE February 19th.

This month, and every month through March, not only does a lucky entrant get his or her team audited, but he or she also receives a FREE book courtesy of Firefly Books . The winner will receive either "Shooting From the Lip " or "Hockey Now! "

Trying to predict the next breakout star in the NHL is something we all enjoy. It involves both research and prognosticating, and often taking a risk or two. I tend to take moderate risks when proclaiming my picks for breakout stars. No guts, no glory, right? (Might be a bit of an exaggeration, as we are simply talking fantasy hockey here, but who cares!)

What a sad state of affairs Manny Legace’s season has turned out to be. It wasn’t just the display of immaturity over the last week or the bad stretch of game in the last month. The true source of his demise actually goes back further than that, to the exact moment last season when he suffered that meniscus tear. Since then, the entire balance of Legace’s game has been upset, quite possibly marking the beginning of the end to his career.
 

Dallas a eu une idée intéressante cet été. Ils vont déranger outrageusement l’adversaire en ayant une peste sur chacun de leurs trios. Ils ont aussi fait en sorte que la peste ait un certain talent. En décembre, par contre, Brendan Morrow (qui est davantage un attaquant de puissance qu’un agitateur, mais restez avec moi pour ceci) a eu une opération au genou. Sean Avery a eu une chirurgie de personnalité et lorsque la poussière est retombée, il y avait un seul agitateur de talent restant.
 

It's February, and time for another mock draft. In the month of love, what teams will find their perfect match?

Steve Mason has seven shutouts on a team that has never made the playoffs before. He’s only 20 years old and although still a rookie, is probably never going back to the minors again. Sounds like another classic Cinderella goalie story…one that has to end sooner than later, right? Well it turns out that the clock may never strike midnight for Mason because he’s performing better as the season ticks down.
 

Jarret Stoll a conquis la confiance des poolers de nouveau. Par contre, les gens dans des pools à plusieurs catégories entrent lentement dans la danse.

L’attaquant des Kings de Los Angeles a eu un sommet en carrière de 68 points en 2005-06 avec Edmonton. À ce moment, il avait 23 ans. Amasser autant de points à un si jeune âge est un exploit en soi, et les poolers l’ont étiqueté comme futur attaquant de 80 points.